Dons score as medallist returns to Park

Hayward medallist Jeff Smith will pull on a Donnybrook jumper again this season in a major boost for the SWFL stragglers.

The former Geelong AFL player has returned to the South West after two seasons with Railways in the Great Northern Football League.

Smith, 30, last played for Donnybrook in 2010, where he was renowned as one of the league’s most dangerous and versatile utilities.

He won the Hayward Medal after a watershed 2009 season in which he booted 39 goals in 18 games, playing 29 games for 61 goals in his two years with the Dons.

“It’s definitely good to be back,” Smith said.

“I always kept in touch with Donnybrook and watched as many games as I could when I could get away from Geraldton.

"It was always in the back of mind. I knew I wanted to come and play out my career at Donnybrook.”

It was an rollercoaster two years in the mid-west for Smith, who helped Railways rise to the 2011 premiership and led the club to another grand final last season as playing coach.

He won the JJ Clune Medal in 2011 for the GNFL’s fairest and best player, but his otherwise rosy experience was tarnished when he was the victim in an ugly on-field incident in which he had his jaw broken and four teeth knocked out.

“Once I got over the anger and frustration of it all I began pushing to create a culture change in the GNFL,” Smith said.

“If that happened to a younger bloke, they would probably never play footy again.”

According to Smith, the two years was like “riding a wave”.

He has come out a different player.

“I’ve taken a bigger role in the off-field stuff lately, with regard to training, especially helping the younger guys,” he said.

Donnybrook coach Shane Smith said the returning star’s experience would be a major asset to the club.

“We’re looking forward to the leadership and guidance he’s going to bring for our younger players,” the coach said.

“It will be good to have another big body out there to help teach all the boys.”